Plasma deposited APTES: A potential film for biomedical application

Surface modification with polymerization films containing amino groups is a reliable way to improve the bioactivity/biocompatibility of implants or build a drugs immobilization/release system on their surface. In this work, APTES films containing amino groups were achieved using a plasma deposition device. The amine density was adjusted by changing the Ar flow and the highest value of 9.03% was achieved at 50 sccm. Such APTES films showed good bone bioactivity as apatite was significantly induced in 14–28 days' SBF immersion. Furthermore, the plasma deposited APTES films exhibited high hydrophilicity (WCAAPTES ≈ 21°) with good stability resisting water (WCARinse ≈ 30°–38°), low cytotoxicity (cytotoxicity level = 0), and high anti-hemolysis ability (Hemolysis rate = 1.03%). All the results confirmed APTES films fabricated in our plasma system could be widely used in biomedical area.